Kia Motors America Announces Record October SalesKia Surpasses 400,000 Annual U.S. Sales for First Time in Company History; Year-to-Date Sales Up 35 Percent

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced best-ever October sales of 37,690 units, a 21-percent increase over the same period last year and the company's 14th straight monthly sales record. One of the fastest growing car brands in the U.S., KMA's year-to-date sales are up 35 percent, and the brand has eclipsed the 400,000 vehicle sales mark for the first time in company history. The U.S.-built(1) Sorento was once again the brand's best-selling vehicle with 10,178 units sold in October, while demand for the critically acclaimed Optima midsize sedan, which recently was added to the production line at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), remained strong with 8,616 units sold.

"Kia has experienced unprecedented growth in the past 36 months and undergone a complete design-led transformation that has changed the game for us as a brand," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "In just three years we have brought nine new vehicles to market, something no other manufacturer can say. The recently launched Rio 5-door offers consumers a refreshing mix of world-class styling, performance, technology and outstanding safety and value in the B-segment, and with the upcoming introduction of its sedan sibling Kia will offer three vehicles that deliver up to 40 miles per gallon."(2)

Design-Led Transformation and Product LineKia Motors has undergone a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and brand growth through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology. Kia's commitment to the U.S. market is represented by its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – which is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and recently added the critically acclaimed Optima midsize sedan(3) to its production line. Kia's model year 2012 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

Hyundai Motor America Shatters Its All-Time Sales Record Set Year-End 2010-- Also sets all-time October Sales Record with 23 Percent Rise-- Veloster finishes first full month with more than 3,700 sales

COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 52,402 vehicles in October, a 23 percent total sales increase compared with the same period a year ago. The year-to-date sales figures of 545,316 shattered the full year sales record of 538,228 set in 2010. Retail sales were up 27 percent over last October.

"Breaking our all-time any-time sales record set in 2010, with two months left in the 2011 calendar year, is an accomplishment we take great pride in and is clearly indicative of consumer acceptance of our bold line-up of award winning products," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's executive vice president of national sales. "The overall sales environment appears to be stabilizing, despite continued fluctuations in traditional economic indicators, and we believe those market dynamics position Hyundai well to finish the year on a strong note."

Year to date, Hyundai sales are up 21 percent versus 2010 in total, and up 31 percent at retail. Sales to fleet accounts represent 11 percent of the total sales year-to-date and just 8 percent for the month of October. Thirty-seven percent of Hyundai vehicles sold in October achieved 40 MPG fuel economy ratings.

Santa Fe and Tucson, Hyundai's crossover line-up, registered sales increases of 44 and 24 percent, respectively. The all-new Hyundai Elantra saw a sales increase of 37 percent over the same period last year and the Genesis saw a sales increase of 10 percent.

"The Veloster, our new 40-MPG 3-door sport coupe, had its first full month of sales and we delivered more than 3,700 units across the country to some very happy buyers," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's president and CEO. "We've got some pretty exciting Velosters on the showroom floor at the SEMA Show this year from the rally-inspired Veloster built by ARK Performance to some other highly modified Velosters and Genesis Coupes."

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Infiniti today reported U.S. sales of 6,862 units for October, a decrease of 13.5 percent versus 7,930 units a year earlier. Calendar year-to-date Infiniti sales of 79,043 are down 4.5 percent compared to the 82,727 units sold during the same period last year.

Infiniti sales highlights for the month include:

Infiniti G Sedan sales of 2,986 marked an increase of 10.1 percent for the month, supporting an increase of 4.6 percent to 34,737 units for the calendar year With sales of 1,244 units, an increase of 7.5 percent in October, the Infiniti QX full-size luxury has an increase of 14.1 percent to 10,247 for the year

"We are pleased that the Infiniti G Line and QX full-size luxury SUV continued their sales momentum, as we transitioned to 2012 models of the Infiniti FX in October," said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Americas. "November will be an important month for us as we debut the 2013 Infiniti JX at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and we begin our Winter Limited Engagement Sales Event."

The all-new Infiniti JX, the automaker's first 3-row, 7-passenger luxury crossover, challenges conventional thinking in the segment with a bold exterior design, a luxurious interior, the world's first Backup Collision Intervention system as well as interior spaciousness that's expected to be among best-in-class. The 2013 Infiniti JX debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16, and goes on sale next spring.

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles that inspire at every turn, including the G Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, M sedan, EX and FX crossovers, and the QX full-size luxury SUV. More information about Infiniti and its Total Ownership Experience® can be found at infinitiusa.com

Mercedes-Benz Reports Highest October on Record With Sales of 24,449Sales Up 28.2% for the Month and 12% for the Year

MONTVALE, N.J., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported October sales of 24,449 vehicles, a 28.2% improvement over October 2010 (19,076) and the company's highest October volume on record. On a year-to-date basis, the 206,632 vehicles sold represent a 12% increase over the 184,431 vehicles sold during the same period last year.

The highest volume performers for the month were the C-Class and E-Class model lines. The all-new 2012 sporty C-Class – gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – led the pack with sales of 7,084, up 87.9% from October 2010. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,516 and the all-new versatile M-Class, finished third in volume with monthly sales of 4,091. Additionally, sales of the 2012 CLS-Class posted a 192.3% increase for the month and sales of the new SLK roadster were up 58.2% over October 2010.

Total diesel units sold for October were up 110.9% with sales of 1,930 (vs. 915 units sold in Oct. 2010).

At the high end, the company sold 13 of its supercar -- the SLS AMG -- bringing its year-to-date sales to 467.

Sales of Sprinter Vans also increased by 104.8% for October with sales of 1,485 – bringing a year-to-date total of 13,937 (up 119.4 %).

Sales of the smart fortwo totaled 327 vehicles for the month (compared to the 367 vehicles sold in October 2010).

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 5,571 vehicles in October 2011, a decrease of 21.8%. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 62,929 vehicles, a decrease of 7.6% over the comparable period last year.

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported October U.S. sales of 82,346 units versus 69,773 units a year earlier, an increase of 18 percent. Nissan Division sales set a new October record, increasing 22.1 percent for the month to 75,484 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles decreased 13.5 percent from the prior year, to 6,862 units.

NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS

Nissan vehicles posted a new record for October sales with 75,484 units, an increase of 22.1 percent over the 61,843 units sold in October 2010. Versa – led by the all-new 2012 Versa Sedan in its second full month of sales – set a new October record with 8,889 deliveries, an increase of 47.1 percent over the prior year. Strong sales of the Nissan Altima continue, with 21,838 units marking an increase of 15.1 percent over the prior year and an October record. The Rogue crossover continues to gain momentum, with sales of 10,034 units marking a 13.2 percent increase over last year – another new October record. The 2012 Rogue, on sale now, is the first vehicle in Nissan's lineup to offer the innovative, segment-exclusive Around View Monitor. Sales of the 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF totaled 849 units in October, with deliveries totaling 8,066 units of the innovative, zero-emissions vehicle since its December 2010 U.S. debut.

INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS

Infiniti sales totaled 6,862 units for October, a decrease of 13.5 percent versus 7,930 a year earlier. Infiniti G Sedan sales of 2,986 marked an increase of 10.1 percent for the month, supporting an increase of 4.6 percent to 34,737 units for the calendar year. With sales of 1,244 units, an increase of 7.5 percent in October, the Infiniti QX full-size luxury has an increase of 14.1 percent to 10,247 for the year.

"It was a record-setting October for all of Nissan, led by key models like Altima, Versa and Rogue," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. "It's clear that, with a winning lineup of cars, trucks and crossovers, Nissan is ready for a strong finish to 2011."

NOTE: To ensure consistency in global sales reporting, Nissan North America calculates monthly variances on a straight-percentage basis, unadjusted for the number of selling days. October 2011 had 26 selling days, while October 2010 had 27 selling days.

Audi Reports Best U.S. October Sales in Its History; Tenth Record-Setting Month of 2011- October sales of 10,225 represent a 25.8% gain from a year earlier- Sales of Audi TT and Audi A5 experienced 133.7% and 21.5% sales increases respectively- Sales of Audi Q5 rose 24.3%, marking second-best month for the SUV

HERNDON, Va., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi today reported record October U.S. sales of 10,225 vehicles, topping the 8,128 vehicles sold in October 2010. With the October 2011 results, the Audi brand has set record U.S. sales every month of this year.

Audi U.S. year-to-date sales increased 16.5% to 95,206. The premium car brand has recorded record sales in 14 out of the past 15 months. The year-to-date sales for 2011 already rank as the second-best year in the U.S. for Audi, only trailing only the record 101,629 sales established in 2010.

"As we head into the fourth quarter, it is clear that consumers are eager to drive the superior lineup of Audi vehicles," said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. "Sales continue to reinforce that Audi holds a desirable position within the high-end sector of the premium car market due to our exceptionally engineered vehicles. All signs continue to point toward 2011 winding up as one of the best years for Audi in the U.S. market."

The favorable Audi performance in October was bolstered by consumer response to the all-new 2012 Audi A6 and the 2012 Audi A7, the brand's most technologically advanced models to date.

Sales of the Audi A6 – which recently received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award – rose 43.9% to 1,186 vehicles compared to October 2010 A6 sales. Demand for the stylish Audi A7, introduced this spring, remained strong with 655 vehicles sold for the month. The all-new A6 and A7 feature Audi's industry-leading navigation and safety technology, including MMI® Navigation plus with Google Earth™, Audi connect™ with wireless internet access and Night Vision Assistant with thermal imaging.

Audi SUV models constituted a healthy 33.0% of overall Audi sales in October. Year-over-year results for the popular Audi Q5 compact crossover sport-utility vehicle increased 24.3% year-over-year with 2,610 vehicles sold, making October the second-best sales month for the Q5 in company history. Year-to-date sales of 7,474 of the popular Audi Q7 full-size luxury sport-utility vehicle increased 25.4%, when compared to 2010.

October marked another exceptional month for the Audi A8, the band's flagship sedan. Sales of the A8 climbed 991.4% YOY to 382 vehicles sold, when compared to October 2010.

The Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q7 vehicles – the brand's entries in the top premium vehicle segments – made up 29.0% of overall sales in October.

The Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model accounted for 43.0% of the sales mix in the lineup for the month and 43.0% mix for the year. Year-to-date Audi A3 sales increased 4.7%, with 412 vehicles sold in October. As consumers continued to show a preference for efficiency, the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model accounted for 45.0% of the total A3 sales mix for the month and a 55.0% mix for the year.

The introduction of the Audi TT RS sports car helped boost total Audi TT sales to an increase of 133.7% from a year earlier with 194 vehicles sold in October. Audi TT YTD sales increased 33.4% over 2010 to 1,856 vehicles sold.

October 2011 sales of the Audi A5 were strong, with 1,394 vehicles sold, an increase of 21.5%, when compared to 2010.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales of 2,776 vehicles mark the best October on record and the eighth-consecutive record month. Year-to-date sales of 31,165 put Audi on track to deliver one of the best CPO years on record.

For the record-setting month of October 2011, four Audi models recorded YTD sales increases of over 25.0%, including the Audi A8, the Audi Q7, the Audi R8 and the Audi TT. In addition, the Audi southern region experienced strong gains, with October sales up 24.0% to 2,565 vehicles sold, and sales in the Audi western regions increased 29.0% to 2,750 vehicles sold, when compared to October 2010.

Audi sales highlights – October 2011

New company record set in October with 10,225 vehicles sold, topping the 8,128 vehicles sold in October 2010. Audi sales in the U.S. grew 16.5% to 95,206 premium vehicles sold from January 2011 through October 2011. Four models within Audi lineup post YTD gains exceeding 25.0%.

Audi A3 sales up 4.7% YTD, with 5,435 sold for the year. Audi Q7 sales in October up 25.4% YTD, compared to 2010. TDI clean diesel technology represented 43.0% of total Q7 sales for October and 45.0% of total A3 sales for October. Sales of Audi Q5 increased 24.3% year-over-year, marking second-best month in company history.

Audi TT October sales and news notes

Audi TT sales increased 133.7% from the same period last year to 194 vehicles sold in October 2011; YTD sales experience 33.4% increase with 1,856 vehicles sold in 2011 through October.

Continued strong demand for Ford’s fuel-efficient utility vehicles and trucks lifted the company to a 6 percent increase in total sales in October.

With total sales of 167,803 vehicles, gains came largely from Ford brand utilities, up 38 percent, and strong truck sales, up 8 percent versus last year.

“More and more consumers are being attracted to Ford’s lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles – from cars and utility vehicles to our full-size pickups with EcoBoost engines,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “The Ford brand continues growing its market share, showing we have the vehicles and technologies people truly want and value.”

Year-to-date, Ford is the best-selling brand of vehicles in America with sales totaling 1,700,618, up 17 percent. With this performance, the Ford brand is now on track to increase its market share this year by about 1 percentage point – which would mark market share gains for three consecutive years.

Explorer is leading the way, with sales up 225 percent versus a year ago and 11,987 vehicles sold. Year-to-date Explorer sales are up 134 percent, with 108,994 vehicles sold. Explorer retail sales have tripled in every market area of the U.S.

Escape sales in October totaled 19,046 vehicles, a 31 percent increase. Year-to-date Escape sales are up 31 percent at 206,896 vehicles – setting a record. This year marks the first time Escape has broke through the 200,000 sales milestone in its 11-year history.

Ford brand car sales totaled 576,994 through October – up 18 percent versus the same period a year ago – more than doubling the industry-wide passenger car sales increase.

In October, Fiesta, Focus and Fusion all posted higher retail sales than a year ago, offset by lower fleet deliveries.

In October, Fiesta sales were up 7 percent, with 4,124 vehicles sold. Focus total sales were equal to a year ago, with retail sales particularly strong on the U.S. coasts – almost double year ago levels in California and up almost 50 percent in New York.

Fusion sales were up 4 percent, totaling 18,094 vehicles, another monthly record for Ford’s midsize sedan. Fusion has now set monthly records in 12 of the last 13 months. Year-to-date Fusion sales have increased 15 percent, breaking through the 200,000 vehicle mark for the year and on pace for a record sales year.

Ford’s F-Series sales totaled 52,511 vehicles, up 7 percent, in October. It is the second month in a row F-Series has topped 50,000 sales. Year-to-date F-Series sales total 468,899 pickups, an 8 percent increase.

“October was important for Ford trucks,” Czubay said. “In addition to helping grow sales 8 percent, the F-150 won the ‘Truck of Texas’ award and Ford won ‘Truck Line of Texas’ for the 12th straight year. We are honored for the Texas Auto Writers Association to validate what our customers have been saying about our fuel-efficient and highly capable trucks.”

Among retail customers, more than 40 percent of F-150 buyers opted for Ford’s highly fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines in October. Coupled with EcoBoost sales on Explorer and Edge and Ford cars, total EcoBoost engine sales topped 15,000 in October.

Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their sales to retail and fleet customers.

ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars, Cayenne SUVs and the Panamera four-door sports sedan line-up in the United States, today announced October 2011 sales of 2,270 vehicles, a decrease of 14 percent compared to the same period last year, when it sold 2,647 vehicles.

To date in 2011, sales are up 23 percent compared to the same ten-month period last year. So far this year, the company has sold 24,934 cars, which compares to 20,337 vehicles last year.

"We're very pleased with our year-to-date results," said President and CEO, Detlev von Platen. "October's sales numbers are expectedly down compared to last year, due to the fact that we are in the midst of a change-over with our all-new 911 model going on sale early next year. In addition, we have very low inventories of our Boxster and Cayman models."

For the month of October 2011, Porsche's Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales were 652, compared to 565 last year. The year-to-date total is 7,241, compared to 6,210 in the previous year – a 17 percent increase.

"As the all-new Passat and Beetle start to enter the market place, demand for Volkswagen vehicles has already exceeded last year's annual volume in the first 10 months of the year, " said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "With the right products in the heart of key segments, and now the most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICKS in the industry, our momentum continues as customers are increasingly recognizing and embracing the quality and value of our vehicles."

The Routan is the latest Volkswagen to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK rating for 2011, the highest possible from the non-profit safety research organization. This means that Volkswagen now has no fewer than nine TOP SAFETY PICKS, giving the brand leadership in the U.S. industry. The other 2011 Volkswagen models to receive the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating are: the Chattanooga-built Passat, CC 2.0L TSI®, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Tiguan, Touareg, and four-door Golf and GTI models.

The all-new, 2012 Volkswagen Passat sold 5,040 units for the month of October, its first full-month of sales for the Chattanooga-built vehicle and the most Passats sold since December 2005. The 2012 Beetle, sold 1,516 units as production starts to ramp up. Volkswagen Jetta sales (including Sport Wagen) totaled 13,058 units, a 9.2 percent increase over last year. GTI sales increased 32.8 percent while Golf sales rose 34.3 percent versus last year. Sport utility vehicles Touareg and Tiguan experienced 204.6 percent and 18.4 percent sales increases, respectively. Volkswagen's high-mileage, clean diesel TDI models accounted for 20.5 percent of all October sales and up 37 percent year-over-year.

GM's U.S. Sales Up 2 Percent in OctoberChevrolet sales increase 6 percent, led by Cruze and Equinox

DETROIT, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported total sales of 186,895 vehicles in October, up 2 percent compared with October 2010. Retail deliveries were up 3 percent compared with the same month a year ago and accounted for 77 percent of GM sales. Deliveries to fleet customers were essentially flat.

"Chevrolet led the way for GM in October driven by the continued success of the Cruze and Equinox," said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. "Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC have all performed well this year, which has set the stage for our transition to a higher mix of 2012 model-year vehicles. Combined with the launches of several new fuel-efficient cars, including the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick LaCrosse eAssist, we are very well positioned going forward."

Highlights for October include double-digit sales increases for the Chevrolet Equinox, Camaro and Express, the Cadillac SRX, the Buick Regal and the GMC Terrain, as well as the continued success of the Chevrolet Cruze.

In addition, Chevrolet dealers delivered more than 1,100 Volts for the vehicle's best month to date, and GM remains on track to expand Volt availability to 2,600 dealers in all 50 states by the end of the year. The new 40-mpg Chevrolet Sonic also is building momentum, with sales of more than 3,800 units in its second month of launch.

Calendar year to date, all four GM brands have increased their sales compared with the same period a year ago, with Chevrolet, GMC and Buick posting double-digit increases.